A Decade of Transformation in Northern Ireland, By NI Chief Pharmaceutical Officer – Professor Catherine Harrison
Northern Ireland has undergone a transformation in how medicines policy is developed and implemented. Ten years ago, we set out to do something bold, to embed innovation into the heart of policy. The result? Enhanced patient outcomes, greater efficiencies, and a reputation as a global leader in pharmacy and medicines practice. A critical factor in this success has been the establishment of a dedicated innovation hub: The Medicines Optimisation Innovation Centre, or MOIC, a beacon of expertise, collaboration and sustainability.
The Value of a Dedicated Innovation Hub
Suboptimal medicines use poses a significant global challenge, leading to adverse health outcomes, inefficiencies, and substantial waste. In 2015 Northern Ireland decided to tackle this head on. The Department of Health (DoH) established MOIC, guided by its strategic Medicines Optimisation Quality Framework to turn challenges into opportunities.
MOIC is core funded by the DoH and supplemented by grant acquisition and commercial income. The centre delivers an annual commission of work agreed with DoH and its four strategic themes encompass:
- Focus on the needs of patients and the NI population.
- Accelerate the adoption of innovation into practice to improve clinical outcomes and efficiency.
- Build a culture of partnership and collaboration.
- Make a meaningful contribution to the NI economy.
Innovation in medicines policy requires investment—not only in new technologies and treatments but also in people. Establishing MOIC has provided a structured environment for skill development, research, and collaboration. The centre has provided a unique space for professionals across the health sector to engage in innovation, enabling them to collaborate with others, refine their expertise, design and develop cutting-edge approaches relevant to their patients. Through networking and shared learning, MOIC has empowered healthcare leaders to implement change that is both evidence-based and scalable, ensuring sustainable improvements in patient care.
Partnering with Health Trusts and Commissioners to Address Challenges
The journey wouldn’t have been possible without collaboration. By working hand in hand with our health and social care Trusts and primary care commissioners we’ve tackled some of the toughest challenges: resource constraints, demonstrating value for money, patient safety issues and risks like antimicrobial resistance. Together we’ve co-designed solutions that work – solutions that enhance pharmacy practice, improve prescribing, boost medicines adherence and even reduce hospital readmissions.
The ability to rigorously evaluate new solutions and service models has created a dynamic innovation pipeline for commissioning, ensuring that successful initiatives are quickly expanded, refined and rolled out, creating long-term benefits for the whole health and social care system.
In the HSC, MOIC has led the evaluation of an array of cross-sector projects. Post-discharge telephone follow-up by clinical pharmacists is now routine practice in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust (NHSCT), and Consultant Pharmacists for Older People input in Nursing Homes and Intermediate Care settings has been scaled and spread across NI. Others include GP Practice-based Pharmacist case management, Pharmacy First Services in Community Pharmacy using rapid diagnostics in the management of sore throats and urinary tract infections, and new models of prescribing by non-medical prescribers.
Securing External Funding for Innovation
One of the most significant enablers of change has been the ability to attract external funding to support innovation in medicines policy and influence professional practice. Northern Ireland has successfully secured investment from UK government bodies, research grants, all Island and international funds. MOIC has partnered in three large EU-funded projects, SHAPES, iSIMPATHY, SIMPATHY and has recently been awarded PEACEPLUS funding to deliver a project (iMPROVE) focusing on pharmacogenomics, diagnostics, and medicine review. MOIC has also participated in Small Business Research Initiatives funded by Innovate UK.
Collaboration with Global Leaders in Medicines Policy
Over the past decade, through MOIC, Northern Ireland has built strong partnerships with stakeholders at the forefront of pharmacy and medicines policy and practice worldwide. Over 25 cross-sector agreements, Memoranda of Understanding and partnerships have been established across Ireland, Europe and internationally. Engaging with international experts has ensured that the region remains at the cutting edge of innovation, learning from best practices and adapting them to local needs. By positioning itself within a global network of thought leaders, Northern Ireland has influenced policy beyond its borders, contributing to international discussions on medicines optimisation, digital health, and value-based healthcare.
Examples include working with the Polish Society of Clinical Pharmacy to develop clinical pharmacy; partnering with the Commonwealth Pharmacists’ Association, on antimicrobial stewardship and the development of clinical pharmacy; Cluster Saude de Galicia, Spain, on pharmacogenomics; and the Health Innovation Hub Ireland on clinical pharmacy and innovative technologies.
Building Partnerships with Industry, SMEs, and Universities
The success of this journey has also been shaped by strong collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and universities. MOIC manages the HSC Industry Partnership (HSCIP) on behalf of Northern Ireland, which aligns the pharmaceutical industry with the HSC to deliver what we call the ‘Triple Win’: better outcomes for patients, a stronger health service and a thriving economy.
In addition to this, MOIC is a knowledge provider for Invest NI and works directly with industry partners of all sizes. Several projects have been completed with industry including cardiovascular priority pathways, smart procedure packs and trialling a novel adherence technology to support adherence in people with respiratory disease.
MOIC has also developed a test bed for industry and SMEs within the HSC. This facility specialises in the handling of products at a late stage in their development and almost ready to market and offers access to HSC clinicians and patients. Together, these partnerships have created a dynamic ecosystem that drives continuous improvement.
A Rewarding Journey
Looking back on the past ten years, the progress made in embedding innovation into medicines policy has been both professionally and personally rewarding. The ability to see real, tangible improvements in patient care, to witness the impact of evidence-driven policy changes, and to work alongside some of the brightest minds in health and social care has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. The journey has not been without its challenges, but the collective effort of policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry partners has made a lasting impact—one that will continue to shape the future of medicines policy for years to come. To see the impact beyond Northern Ireland is also remarkable, this model of embedding innovation into medicines policy through a dedicated centre at MOIC has influenced other regions facing similar challenges. By sharing research, insights, and best practices, Northern Ireland has contributed to a global movement towards more effective and patient-centred medicines policy. This exchange of knowledge has strengthened international collaboration, reinforcing the idea that healthcare innovation is a shared global endeavour.
As Northern Ireland moves forward, the lessons learned, and the networks built over the past decade will serve as a foundation for even greater innovation. By maintaining a focus on collaboration, investment in skills, and a commitment to evidence-based policy supported by MOIC, I believe the region is well-positioned to continue leading the way in global medicines innovation.
